A feature is any SciFi film 41 minutes or longer. SciFi can be any film set in another world, reality or time. Action Films, Comedies, Horror, and Dramas can all be science fiction if the setting or story lines have a particular SciFi bent. Films will be judged and selected based on their narrative quality. Documentaries and Animation will be accepted as long as the films are story-based and not experimental or facts-and-figures types of filmmaking and would be of interest to SciFi fans.

A short is any SciFi film 40 minutes or shorter. SciFi can be any film set in another world, reality or time. Action Films, Comedies, Horror, and Dramas can all be science fiction if the setting or story lines have a particular SciFi bent. Films will be judged and selected based on their narrative quality. Documentaries and Animation will be accepted as long as the films are story-based and not experimental or facts-and-figures types of filmmaking and would be of interest to SciFi fans. Music Videos will be acceptable if they tell a cohesive story (think "Take On Me" by A-ha).

MISSION & OBJECTIVE
Other Worlds Austin is the one-and-only film festival in Austin, TX dedicated to Science Fiction Filmmaking. With a team of programmers who love science fiction, write science fiction, or make science fiction films of their own, we are in this for one reason only, to put on a great festival. We are looking for great stories that aren’t afraid to push the boundaries of the audience, thrilling them both visually and intellectually. OWA is firmly committed to supporting exciting filmmakers, by giving them exhibition opportunities for films that are often overlooked on the film festival circuit.

Other Worlds Austin is dedicated to bringing the best in SciFi to Austin, TX. Our programming team looks past budgets or the Hollywood push to find great stories, and give them their Austin premiere. Although we would love to be a film's World or US Premiere, there are plenty of films making the festival circuit that right now have very little opportunity to play this town, one that has embraced Science Fiction for years and may just be the center of 'geek' culture. Why wait for a film to come out on VOD (or at all) if we can give it a chance to screen in a theatre before an audience of SciFi fans.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
Other Worlds Austin debuted in 2014, founded by Bears Fonte, former Director of Programming for Austin Film Festival 2012-14). Each year he found more and more great SciFi that he didn't have room to screen at AFF, and each year he saw more and more films on the festival circuit that he wanted to bring to Austin. After Bears left Austin Film Festival, one of the first things he did was figure out how to take this idea to the next level. The inaugural Other Worlds Austin showcased three World Premiere features, three US Premieres and the rest Texas Premieres. Screenings take place December 3-5 at the Galaxy Highland just off I-35 in Austin, TX. The program will feature both Features and Shorts, both of which will be eligible for their own Audience Award and the cash prize that goes with it.

(Please Note: This is for film submissions only, If you are looking for the Screenwriting Contest, head to: http://www.otherworldsaustin.com/screenplays/)

GENERAL RULES
SciFi films can be any film set in another world, reality or time. Action Films, Comedies, Horror, and Dramas can all be science fiction if the setting or story lines have a particular SciFi bent. Films will be judged and selected based on their narrative quality. Documentaries and Animation will be accepted as long as the films are story based and not experimental or facts-and-figures types of filmmaking and would be of interest to SciFi fans. Music Videos will be acceptable if they tell a cohesive story (think "Take On Me" by A-ha). Features must be 41 minutes or longer, Shorts 40 minutes or shorter.

This competition is for finished films only. See www.OtherWorldsAustin.com/submissions for our Film FAQ, Special Offers, and for information about our Screenwriting Competition.

Features and Shorts must be submitted on DVD, Blu-Ray (please test before sending) or as an online screener. DVDs may NTSC or PAL, Blu-Ray submissions must be NTSC. Other Worlds Austin is not responsible for the streaming quality of Secure Online Submissions uploaded through WithoutABox. If you choose to submit a Secure Online Screener through WithoutABox, we highly recommend you include a private link through Vimeo or YouTube where your film may be seen in HD. Include the link and password in the 'cover letter' portion of your submission on WAB.

Features and Shorts must be available to screen as a digital file. Please note: we do NOT screen films on DVD, Blu-Ray, HD-CAM, or DCP. If you are unable or unwilling to provide us your film as a digital file, DO NOT SUBMIT your film. Again, we WILL NOT screen films on DCP at the festival.

Films must have been completed no earlier than January 1, 2012. Films must be available for screening during Other Worlds Austin, December 3-5, 2015. If a film was submitted to Other Worlds Austin in 2014, we are happy to reconsider it for 2015, but only recommend it if significant changes have been made. Films must be Austin premieres but no other premiere status is required. Quality of filmmaking equal, some preference will be given to World, US or Texas Premieres. Short films available publicly online will be eligible for the festival, but features will not. Short films that have appeared on US network or cable television or available for VOD/download/purchase will not be eligible for screening at the festival.

Other Worlds Austin does not pay screening fees under any circumstance. By submitting your film, you are agreeing to screen your film without a screening fee or any other compensation if selected.

Please include in your cover letter if your film was SHOT IN TEXAS (include locations) or made by TEXAS FILMMAKERS. Because WAB does not require address or location information in their submissions, it is possible we may miss this important fact, and we are always on the lookout to support local filmmakers. We don't want to miss your film!

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

COMPETITION CERTIFICATION I/We have read all of the Other Worlds Austin (a.k.a. Festival or OWA) rules. I/We understand and have complied with these rules. I/We warrant the submission of my/our original work and there are no disputes regarding the ownership of the submission. I/We also warrant the submitted material does not defame or invade the rights of any person living or dead and I/we fully indemnify the Festival against any claim made for such violations of law. To the best of my/our knowledge, all of the statements herein are true and correct. I/We understand that failure to adhere to the Festival rules will result in disqualification and forfeiture of entry fee. I/We agree to hold Other Worlds Austin harmless from and defend them against all claims, demands, losses, damages, judgments, liabilities, and expenses (including attorney’s fees) arising out of or in connection with any and all claims of third parties, whether or not groundless, based on any film submitted to the Festival.
FILM COMPETITION GENERAL RULES & GUIDELINES: SciFi films can be any film set in another world, reality or time. Action Films, Comedies, Horror, and Dramas can all be science fiction if the setting or story lines have a particular SciFi bent. Films will be judged and selected based on their narrative quality. Documentaries and Animation will be accepted as long as the films are story-based and not experimental or facts-and-figures types of filmmaking and would be of interest to SciFi fans. Music Videos will be acceptable if they tell a cohesive story (think "Take On Me" by A-ha). Features must be 41 minutes or longer, Shorts 40 minutes or shorter.
SUBMISSION RULES: Features and Shorts must be submitted on DVD, Blu-Ray (please test before sending) or as an online screener. DVDs may NTSC or PAL, Blu-Ray submissions must be NTSC. Other Worlds Austin is not responsible for the streaming quality of Secure Online Submissions uploaded through WithoutABox. If you choose to submit a Secure Online Screener through WithoutABox, we highly recommend you include a private link through Vimeo or YouTube where your film may be seen in HD. Include the link and password in the 'cover letter' portion of your submission on WAB. Films must have been completed after January 1, 2012. If a film was submitted to Other Worlds Austin in 2014, we are happy to reconsider it for 2015, but only recommend it if significant changes have been made. Once an entry payment has been processed we cannot provide a refund. If a payment is disputed, the account holder may be subject to any fees. PLEASE NOTE: Other Worlds Austin does NOT waive entry fees. We are an extremely small festival and entry fees are the primary source of income for the running of the festival. Some films may be invited to submit to OWA by the Director of Programming after screening at a major festival. This will be on a case-by-case basis and will be initiated by OWA. Please do not email us and ask for a waiver. Because the audience decides all awards, each film selected to screen at OWA will have the same chance to win the cash prize. We understand the financial constraint of filmmaking and costs of submitting to festivals and have kept our fees low in order to allow the most number of submissions as possible. We hope you can find it in your budget to submit your film.
EXHIBITION RULES: Films must be available for screening during the Other Worlds Austin, December 3-5, 2015. Films must be Austin premieres but no other premiere status is required. Quality of filmmaking equal, some preference will be given to World, US or Texas Premieres. Short films available publicly online will be eligible for the festival, but features will not. Short films that have appeared on US network or cable television will also be eligible for screening at the festival, features that have appeared on US network or cable television or available for VOD/download/purchase will not be eligible for screening at the festival. Features and Shorts must be available to screen as a digital file. Please note: we do NOT screen films on DVD, Blu-Ray, HD-CAM, or DCP. If you are unable or unwilling to provide us your film as a digital file, DO NOT SUBMIT your film. Again, we WILL NOT screen films on DCP at the festival. Other Worlds Austin does not pay screening fees under any circumstance. By submitting your film, you are agreeing to screen your film without a screening fee or any other compensation if selected.
RETURNS & ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: DVDs, Blu-Rays and any additional materials will not be returned under any circumstances. All entries will be acknowledged through the Withoutabox communication system. If your submission has not been moved ‘in consideration’ with a Blue Dot within a month of submitting, please email us.